Piercing, pounding and throbbing headaches often make the sufferer feel like their head is in a vise. According the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, occasional headaches strike more than 90 percent of the U.S. population. While millions suffer recurrent headaches, they continually search for relief that sometimes seems elusive. According to the Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke, "headaches can serve as warning signals of more serious disorders."
Brain Tumor
A brain tumor often causes a gradual increase in pressure inside the skull as it grows and develops into a meningioma, an abnormal growth of cells. A meningioma often causes a nagging, ongoing headache that cannot be explained until a person seeks medical intervention. Tests such as magnetic resonance imaging--called an MRI--or computed tomography--CT--scan can often pinpoint the location and severity.
Ordinary Headaches
According to the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke, headaches are either vascular, tension, traction or inflammatory. The migraine is the most common vascular headache. Common, ordinary headaches result from muscle strain or injury, stress, too little or too much sleep, overeating, excessive alcohol consumption, noisy or poorly ventilated environment, prolonged concentration, eyestrain, tension and poor posture. These headaches become ongoing when the conditions are ongoing.
Chronic Tension Headaches
Tension headaches often are long-lasting or recurring headaches that originate partly from muscular tension in the head and neck. According to the Mayo Clinic, a tension headache can cause a dull, aching pain that can last several minutes to a week, only to subside and start again later.
Migraines
Often misdiagnosed as chronic tension headaches, migraines are associated with sinus pain or neck pain, often triggered by tension, and made worse with activities such as walking or exercise. According to the American Migraine Foundation, about 12 percent of the population suffers from migraines--about 36 million Americans. Migraines often require medical intervention and medication to manage the pain and frequency.
Underlying Causes
Several other, less obvious disorders can cause ongoing headaches that often require medical attention to alleviate the problem. Recurrent middle ear infections or other ear problems can cause ongoing headaches until treated. Glaucoma, increased pressure within the eye, can cause a headache along with blurred vision and inflammation of the eye. If left untreated, it can lead to vision impairment. Sinusitis, inflammation of the membrane that lines the sinuses, can also cause an ongoing headache, particularly if workplace or environmental pollutants are causing the inflammation.
